Titanium-group metal containing high-performance water, and its producing method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Produce titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water that contains ion vapor of titanium-group metal in micro-dispersed state and that can be used as a material for health products, medical products, cosmetics, etc., by using an apparatus comprising a water tank, a high-voltage discharge generator equipped with a titanium-group metal electrode and its counter electrode, a water inlet, an outlet for produced water, and a titanium-group metal electrode feeder, in a manner causing plasma discharge in water between the titanium-group metal electrode and its counter electrode.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to high-function water in which super-finetitanium-group metal particles are micro-dispersed.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for producinghigh-function water in which super-fine titanium-group metal particlesare micro-dispersed, as well as an apparatus for producing the same.

[0003] The invention further relates to health products, medicalproducts and cosmetics utilizing the aforementioned high-function water.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0004] Titanium-group metals including titanium, zirconium and hafniumare relatively new metal materials discovered much more recently thaniron, copper, aluminum, etc. Particularly titanium metal, which is arepresentative metal among the aforementioned titanium-group metals, islightweight and offers excellent strength at high temperature. Becauseof these properties, titanium metal is already used in wide industrialapplications, such as jet engine material for aircraft and spaceship,tube and tube plate comprising heat-exchangers used for nuclear orthermal power generation, and articles of daily use such as eyeglassframe and golf club head. The applications of titanium metal areexpected to grow further.

[0005] A large number of examples have been known to date regarding theuse of titanium metal in articles of daily use, health/medical productsand cosmetics. These examples include barber's scissors with titaniumfilm coatings (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 62-268584), theutilization of far-infrared ray through molten titanium metal (JapanesePatent Application Laid-open Nos. 61-59147, 1-155803 and 3-112849),bedding (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 8-322695), cookingutensil (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 9-140593), eye mask(Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 10-71168), health-maintainingequipment (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 11-285541 and11-285543), health band (Registered Japanese Utility Model No. 3045835)and health slippers (Registered Japanese Utility Model No. 3061466).

[0006] However, the example of utilizing titanium-containing water asfunction water is limited to a production apparatus that uses titaniummetal in the cathode to produce drinking water through electroosmosis(Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 50-40779).

[0007] Likewise, very few applications are known that pertain to use oftitanium-group metals, other than titanium, in bioactive materials, foodmaterials, medical products, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Use of titanium-group metals in bioactive materials, foodmaterials, medical products, etc., is generating keen interests.However, logical explanations as to how these metals can be utilized insuch applications have not been offered.

[0009] The present invention aims to apply the almost infinite utilitiesof these titanium-group metals in the areas of bioactive materials andhealth/medical products in particular.

[0010] The present invention provides high-function water in whichtitanium-group metal is micro-dispersed, by converting titanium-groupmetal into metal ion vapor via plasma discharge in water and causing thevapor to contact water.

[0011] In addition, the high-function water offering high bioactivity asobtained by the present invention has been found useful as a materialfor health products, medical products and cosmetics.

[0012] Further, the present invention provides a method and apparatusfor efficiently producing the aforementioned high-function watercontaining titanium-group metal that offers bioactivation effects inhealth/medical products, etc.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, “titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water” refers to water in which super-finetitanium-group metal particles of micron to nano-scale aremicro-dispersed.

[0014] The basic feature of the present invention lies in the generationof high-function water in which super-fine titanium-group metalparticles are micro-dispersed, by way of plasma discharging oftitanium-group metal in water to convert it into metal ion vapor.Specifically, the present invention comprising (1) through (4) below:

[0015] (1) A method for producing micro-dispersion water of super-finetitanium-group metal particles, wherein titanium-group metal isconverted into ion vapor through plasma discharge in water in a mannerallowing the vapor to contact, and micro-disperse in, water.

[0016] (2) An apparatus for producing micro-dispersion water ofsuper-fine titanium-group metal particles, comprising a water tank, ahigh-voltage discharge generator equipped with a titanium-group metalelectrode and its counter electrode, a water inlet, an outlet and adischarge pump for discharging processed water, anelectrode-vibration/sliding device, and a feeder of the titanium-groupmetal electrode.

[0017] (3) High-function water in which super-fine titanium-group metalparticles are micro-dispersed.

[0018] (4) A health product, medical product or cosmetic product whosemain ingredient is the high-function water specified in (3).

[0019] In the present invention, a filter system may also be attached asan adjunct to the aforementioned apparatus for producingmicro-dispersion water of super-fine titanium-group metal particles, inorder to remove fine titanium-group metal particles of larger particlesize that are not micro-dispersed.

[0020] Generally in a water dispersion or mixed solution in which fineparticles of titanium-group metals or oxides of these metals are simplydispersed, the titanium-group metal settles and separates within a shortperiod of time. The titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water obtainedby the present invention does not cause the titanium-group metalparticles in it to settle.

[0021] In other words, the most significant feature of thetitanium-group metal micro-dispersion water obtained by the presentinvention is that the micro-dispersed titanium-group metal generated byplasma discharge in water remains micro-dispersed in a stable manner fora long period of time without settling or otherwise separating fromwater.

[0022] The titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water obtained by thepresent invention exhibits the surprising, remarkable effect ofproviding, through an interaction of water molecules and titanium-groupmetal, high-function water that offers bioactivation functions that canbe favorably applied in health products, medical products, cosmetics,etc.

[0023] The high-function titanium-group metal micro-dispersion waterobtained by the present invention can be used in health products such asmotor-function enhancing creams, medical products such as antibacterialagents, and cosmetics such as UV-protection products.

[0024] The titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water obtained by thepresent invention can be used suitably for the above purposes today, butit is believed that this micro-dispersion water will provide aninnovative bioactive material that would fully answer the needs oftoday's health-conscious consumers. The mechanism as to why amicro-dispersion water of titanium-group metal provides excellentbioactive efficacies is not yet clear. The inventors are workingdiligently to find scientific explanations for these efficacies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1: Production flow chart of titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water as proposed by the present invention FIG. 2:Schematic drawing of an apparatus for producing titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water as proposed by the present invention

DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS

[0026]1: High-voltage discharge generator

[0027]2: Power supply for high-voltage/current discharge

[0028]3: Water tank

[0029]4: Titanium-group metal electrode feeder

[0030]5: Electrode-vibrating/sliding device

[0031]6: Titanium-group metal electrode

[0032]7: Counter electrode

[0033]8: Water inlet to water tank

[0034]9: Outlet for titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water

[0035]10: Discharge pump

[0036]11: Filter system

[0037]12: High-function water

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0038] The titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water obtained by thepresent invention is a new product not heretofore available.

[0039] The present invention also provides a new method and apparatusfor producing water that contains metal ion vapor, wherein theproduction of such water is based on melting titanium-group metal notthrough general methods like thermal melting that are commonly used tomelt metal, but by causing plasma discharge in water.

[0040] Specifically, after studying ways to efficiently and economicallyproduce titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water, as well as ways toapply such water to bioactivation purposes, the inventors conceptualizeda method to cause plasma discharge in water between a titanium-groupmetal electrode and its counter electrode, thereby allowing thegenerated titanium-group metal ion vapor to contact and micro-dispersein water, wherein the method also incorporates a measure to preventproduction of substances other than water and titanium-group metal.

[0041] The method proposed by the present invention does not require theproduction conditions to be controlled in order to efficiently addexcellent bioactivity to the obtained water. Under the aforementionedproduction method, an appropriate filter system is necessary because notonly micro-dispersed titanium-group metal but also a trace amount offine metal-oxide particles of larger size than the target super-fineparticles will be produced in water.

[0042] A method for producing stable micro-dispersion water in whichtitanium-group metal is micro-dispersed as obtained through theaforementioned method under the present invention, as well as anapparatus to embody this method, are explained according to thedrawings.

[0043]FIG. 1 is a production flow chart of titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water as proposed by the present invention, while FIG.2 illustrates an apparatus for producing titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water as proposed by the present invention.

[0044] The apparatus for producing titanium-group metal micro-dispersionwater as proposed by the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2,comprising a high-voltage discharge generator (1) installed in a watertank (3) used for producing water in which titanium-group metal ismicro-dispersed, an electrode made of titanium-group metal (6), and afilter system (11) to filter titanium-group metal micro-dispersionwater.

[0045] The basic structure of the water tank (3) proposed by the presentinvention comprises an apparatus for producing micro-dispersion water inwhich titanium-group metal is micro-dispersed (12), comprising thehigh-voltage discharge generator (1) equipped with the titanium-groupmetal electrode (6) and its counter electrode (7), a water inlet (8), anoutlet (9) through which to discharge titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water, a discharge pump (10), anelectrode-vibrating/sliding device (5), and a feeder of titanium-groupmetal electrode (4). The filter system (11) to filter the producedtitanium-group metal micro-dispersion water is also attached as anadjunct.

[0046] The water tank proposed by the present invention is made ofmetal, or preferably steel, and a pressure-resistant container that canwithstand the pressures generated during underwater plasma discharge issufficient. The water tank (3) contains the high-voltage dischargegenerator (1) equipped with the titanium-group metal electrode (6) andits counter electrode (7), and the titanium-group metal electrode (6) issuccessively fed into the tank through the feeder (4) in accordance withthe rate of micro-dispersion. When current is supplied between theelectrodes, plasma discharge occurs in water and metal ion vapor isreleased, which then contacts, and micro-disperses, in water.Micro-dispersion water containing this micro-dispersed metal is takenout of the outlet (9) in the water tank and sequentially filteredthrough the filter system (11) provided as appropriate.

[0047] Because the titanium-group metal is micro-dispersed in water invapor state, the metal that has very strong hydrophilic property remainsmicro-dispersed in water in a stable manner and will not settle evenwhen a coagulating agent is added.

[0048] At this time, vibrating or sliding the titanium-group metalelectrode of the high-voltage discharge generator in the water tank willprevent the electrode from fusing, thereby making it easy to control theamount of micro-dispersed molecules for generation of instant arc.Additionally, there is no need to change the power supply for eachdifferent application, since the amount of current flowing through thecircuit can be easily changed by adjusting the diameter and length ofthe counter electrode made of carbon, etc.

[0049] As explained above, the present invention provides a method andapparatus for producing newly developed micro-dispersion water oftitanium-group metal. Since the mechanism only involves plasma dischargein water between the electrode of titanium-group metal and its counterelectrode, the apparatus can be constructed in a small size andtherefore capital investment can be reduced. Consequently,micro-dispersion water of titanium-group metal can be obtained easilyand economically.

[0050] Other characteristics of the present invention include the use ofthus produced titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water, in whichtitanium-group metal is micro-dispersed, as a material for healthproducts, cosmetics, food materials, drugs, quasi-drugs, etc., afternecessary refining. The produced water contains a small amount of finemetal-oxide particles of larger particle size generated via bonding oftitanium-group metal and oxygen and must therefore be filtered andrefined as necessary.

[0051] So as not to remove the produced micro-dispersed titanium-groupmetal more than necessary, filtering should preferably be implementednot by using ion exchange or reverse-osmosis membrane, but by using thefilter system as explained below that can yield micro-dispersion watersuitable for a desired purpose. For example, filtering the processedwater discharged from the water tank sequentially through hollow-fibermembranes is beneficial, because it will provide function water that canmeet the required standards governing food and sanitation, cosmetics,drugs, etc.

[0052] The constituent analysis of the titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water obtained by the present invention found a traceamount of molten titanium-group metal in the high-pressure water.

[0053] An embodiment of the present invention is explained in detailsusing an example in which titanium metal is used as the material. Note,however, that the material used in the present invention is not limitedto titanium and that titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water can beobtained from other titanium-group metals through the same process.

EXAMPLE

[0054]FIG. 2 shows a representative example of the production apparatusproposed by the present invention.

[0055] The figure illustrates an apparatus for producing titaniummicro-dispersion water by generating titanium ion vapor through plasmadischarge in water and thereby causing the ion vapor to contact waterand letting titanium micro-disperse in water, which comprising a watertank (3), a high-voltage discharge generator (1) equipped with atitanium metal electrode (6) and its counter electrode (7), a waterinlet (8), an outlet for processed water (9), a discharge pump (10), anelectrode-vibration/sliding device (5), and a titanium metal electrodefeeder (4). A carbon electrode is used as the counter electrode. Toproduce 500 liters of titanium micro-dispersion water, titanium metalshould be fed at a rate of 0.5 kg per hour for five hours, whichachieves a titanium concentration of approx. 60 to 80 ppm.

[0056] Generated titanium micro-dispersion water is discharged from thewater tank through the outlet, and supplied to a filter system ifnecessary, by means of the discharge pump. The filter system comprisinghollow-fiber membranes of 50 microns, 25 microns, 3 microns, 0.5 micronand 0.1 micron, and by passing the produced water through these filtermembranes sequentially a titanium micro-dispersion water containing avery small amount of molten titanium metal is obtained.

[0057] The titanium micro-dispersion water obtained in the above examplecontains super-fine titanium particles that will remain micro-dispersedin water in a stable manner for a long period of time without having toadd any active agent.

[0058] A separate experiment was implemented under the same conditions,but in which zirconium metal was used as the material instead oftitanium, also produced zirconium micro-dispersion water similar to thetitanium micro-dispersion water obtained above.

[0059] Trial Test of High-Function Water:

[0060] Ten male and female subjects were instructed to apply or spraytitanium micro-dispersion water in which titanium is micro-dispersed,and the health-promoting/bioactive effects and efficacies of thetreatment were verified.

[0061] Use Conditions and Test Results

[0062] 1. 10 male and female subjects (The subjects used the water atvarying frequencies)

[0063] 2. Efficacies Body feels lighter 5 persons Feels less fatigue 8persons Fatigue disappears quicker 7 persons Condition of cold improvedmarkedly 1 person Motor function improved 6 persons (Able to bend bodyfurther forward, jump further, etc.) Skin became smoother 7 personsStiffness in shoulders decreased markedly 7 persons Eyes are no longertired 3 persons Wounds heal quicker 1 person

[0064] As evident from the above test results, many of those who appliedor sprayed the titanium micro-dispersion water obtained by the presentinvention cited decrease in fatigue, promotion of motor function,elimination of stiff shoulders, smoother skin and other improvements.Therefore, it is found that the titanium micro-dispersion water obtainedby the present invention has remarkable effects as a material for healthproducts, medical products and cosmetics.

INDUSTRIAL FIELD OF APPLICATION

[0065] The present invention provides newly developed titanium-groupmetal micro-dispersion water, as well as its production method andapparatus, and allows for efficient production of bioactive watercontaining titanium-group metal in micro-dispersed state. A number oftrial tests also found that the obtained titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water is also useful as a material for health products,medical products, cosmetics, etc. Other tests also suggest remarkableeffects of such water as healthy drinking water.

1. A method for producing titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water,wherein plasma discharge is caused in water between a titanium-groupmetal electrode and its counter electrode to produce ion vapor oftitanium-group metal and cause it to contact, and micro-disperse in,water.
 2. An apparatus for producing titanium-group metalmicro-dispersion water, comprising a water tank, a high-voltagedischarge generator equipped with a titanium-group metal electrode andits counter electrode, a water inlet, an outlet and a discharge pump fordischarging titanium-group metal micro-dispersion water, anelectrode-vibration/sliding device, and a feeder of the aforementionedtitanium-group metal electrode.
 3. High-function water in whichsuper-fine titanium-group metal grains are micro-dispersed.
 4. A healthproduct, medical product or cosmetic product whose main ingredient isthe high-function water recited in claim
 3. 5. A method for producingwater in which super-fine metal particles of titanium, zirconium orhafnium are micro-dispersed, comprising: causing plasma discharge inwater between a metal electrode made of titanium, zirconium or hafniumand its counter electrode to generate ion vapor of a metal constitutingsaid metal electrode; and causing the generated metal ion vapor tocontact, and micro-disperse in, water, thereby producing water in whichsuper-fine metal particles of said metal are micro-dispersed.
 6. Anapparatus for producing water in which super-fine metal particles oftitanium, zirconium or hafnium are micro-dispersed, comprising: ahigh-voltage discharge generator equipped with a metal electrode made oftitanium, zirconium or hafnium and its counter electrode, said dischargegenerator generating plasma discharge in water between said metalelectrode and its counter electrode; a water tank for holding water,said metal electrode and its counter electrode being arranged into thewater tank; a device for vibrating or sliding in the water tank themetal electrode and its counter electrode; a feeder for supplying saidmetal electrode; a water inlet for supplying water to said water tank,said water inlet being connected to said water tank; an outlet connectedto said water tank; and a discharge pump for discharging produced waterin which super-fine metal particles of titanium, zirconium or hafniumare micro-dispersed, from said outlet.